Materials and methods for synthesizing magnetic core/gold shell nanoparticles and magneto-plasmonic nanostars are provided. Formulations comprising nanoparticles optionally bound to or co-loaded with a therapeutic agent encapsulated within liposomes are provided. A method for treating diseases (e.g., brain diseases) in a subject by administering to the subject a formulation comprising the nanoparticle formulation is also provided. Further, a method is provided for imaging a target site of a subject following the administering of the nanoparticle formulations.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits comprising core-satellite nanocomposites useful for photothermal and/or MRI applications (e.g., tumor treatment and/or imaging). In certain embodiments, the core-satellite nanocomposites comprise: i) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core, and ii) at least one satellite component attached to, or absorbed to, the biocompatible coating. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle core and satellite component are composed of near-infrared photothermal agent material and/or MRI contrast agent material. In further embodiments, the satellite component is additionally or alternatively composed of near-infrared optical dye material.

A submicron structure includes a silica body defining a plurality of pores that are suitable to receive molecules therein, the silica body further defining an outer surface between pore openings of the plurality of pores; and a plurality of anionic molecules attached to the outer surface of the silica body. The anionic molecules provide hydrophilicity to the submicron structure and are suitable to provide repulsion between other similar submicron structures, and the submicron structure has a maximum dimension less than one micron.

The disclosure provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of making and using thereof to deliver a bioactive agent such as a nucleic acid to a subject. The nanoemulsion composition comprises a hydrophobic core based on inorganic nanoparticles in a lipid nanoparticle that allows imaging as well as delivering nucleic acids. Methods of using these particles for treatment and vaccination are also provided.

The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

The disclosure provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of making and using thereof to deliver a bioactive agent such as a nucleic acid to a subject. The nanoemulsion composition comprises a hydrophobic core based on inorganic nanoparticles in a lipid nanoparticle that allows imaging as well as delivering nucleic acids. Methods of using these particles for treatment and vaccination are also provided.

A magnetic nanoparticle includes a magnetic core and a superparamagnetic outer shell, in which the outer shell enhances magnetic properties of the nanoparticle. The enhanced magnetic properties of the magnetic nanoparticle allow for highly sensitive detection as well as diminished non-specific aggregation of nanoparticles.

Gd-encapsulated carbonaceous dots (Gd@C-dots) hold great potential in clinical translation as Ti contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. However, current synthetic techniques yield particles with poor size control; hence, time-consuming size selection is often needed to obtain particles of desired sizes. Disclosed is a process whereby mesoporous silica nanoparticles are used as templates for size-controlled synthesis of Gd@C-dots. The disclosed methods involve calcining a mixture comprising a mesoporous silica nanoparticle, a gadolinium-containing compound, and a chelator, thereby forming the nanoparticles of gadolinium within the mesoporous silica nanoparticle; and removing the mesoporous silica nanoparticle from the nanoparticles of gadolinium.

A nanomaterial composition for magnetic field-induced electrical stimulation of cells includes a piezoelectric nanoparticle and a magnetic nanodisc. The piezoelectric nanoparticle is conjugated to a first molecule of a specific binding molecule pair and is coated with a cell-binding molecule. The magnetic nanodisc is conjugated to a second molecule of the specific binding molecule pair and is attached to the piezoelectric nanoparticle through bonding of the second molecule and the first molecule. The magnetic nanodisc converts a magnetic energy into a mechanical energy in the presence of an external magnetic field, and the mechanical energy is then applied to the piezoelectric nanoparticle that is in contact with the cells via the cell-binding molecule, such that the piezoelectric nanoparticle converts the mechanical energy into an electrical energy, so as to electrically stimulate the cells. A method for magnetic field-induced electrical stimulation of cells in a subject is also provided.